4 Steps To Dating With An STD

Dating
is hard enough, as you got to find someone who is geographically and
emotionally available – a person who shares similar interests as
you and who you find attractive. Couple that with a sexually
transmitted infection (STI), and it can be really complicated to
date.

While
telling a partner that you have an STD is a must, telling them too
soon could mean your date doesn’t get very far. While an STD such
as chlamydia, gonorrhea or herpes doesn’t ban you from dating, it
does mean you need to have an open-minded possible partner.

Relationship
expert David Bennett said 25 percent of people living in the U.S.
have some kind of incurable STD, so that means many people on an
online dating site also have this problem.

How
do you navigate dating with an STD?

Full
Disclosure Before The Sex Act –
You want to be honest, but you need to know when the let your
potential partner know about the disease. The best time to talk about
it is when you have gotten to know each other well. If things turn
serious or toward sex, you need to let them know your status.

Be
In The Know – If
you’re going to let them know about your STD, you need to educate
yourself first about it. Clear communication is important here. You
never go somewhere without doing your research; the same rule applies
here. You have to understand what you’re talking about and present
yourself in a way that defines you by your STD.

Be
Ready For Questions –
It’s not uncommon for people to question the unknown, so be ready
for your date to ask questions about what it means for them dating
you. Don’t dismiss their questions, as it’ll be seen as
dismissing their concerns.

Use
Protection –
This should be obvious, STD or not. However, once your partner knows
about your condition and is still okay with it, respect their body
and cover-up. The only surefire way not to spread your infection is
to abstain from any kind of sexual activity, but if sex does occur,
wear a condom.